City Perils by O. Henry (1916)
The story revolves around a young woman who lives with her father and brother in a small town. She falls in love with a man from the city, but their social differences make it difficult for them to be together. The woman's father is a wealthy businessman who has made his fortune through questionable means. He is ruthless and cunning, using his wealth and influence to get what he wants. When the young woman becomes pregnant out of wedlock, her family is shamed by the community. The father tries to use his wealth to silence the scandal, but it only makes things worse. The story takes a dark turn when the young woman's brother discovers that their father has been embezzling funds from his business partners. He decides to expose him, which leads to a confrontation between the two men. In the end, the young woman is forced to make a difficult choice between her family and her lover. The story ends with a tragic outcome for all involved.
By O. Henry · First published 1916 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Social Commentary · 192 words
First lines
Jeremiah Q. Dilworthy lives away up on San Jacinto Street. He walks home every night. On January first, he promised his wife he would not take another drink in a year. He forgot his promise and on Tuesday night we met some of the boys, and when he started home about nine o'clock he was feeling a trifle careless.
Mr. Dilworthy was an old resident of Houston, and on rainy nights he always walked in the middle of the street, which is well paved.
Alas! if Mr. Dilworthy had only remembered the promise made his wife!
He started out all right, and just as he was walking up San Jacinto Street he staggered over to one side of the street.
What this Textopian page supports
City Perils is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Social Commentary, Realism, Short Story
- Length: 192 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for City Perils by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
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- Compliments Of The Season by O. Henry
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex characters and themes, focusing on human experiences and moral dilemmas.
- Tragedy — The narrative centers on the downfall of the protagonist due to personal flaws and circumstances.
- Social Commentary — The story reflects on societal issues such as alcoholism and its impact on individuals and families.
- Realism — The depiction of everyday life and relatable characters aligns with the principles of realism.
Tags
Short Story Collection · American Literature · Humorous Fiction · Social Commentary · Urban Life · Crime and Punishment · Moral Lessons · Satire · Irony · Twist Ending · Plot Twist · Character Development